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Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane is hoping that success in the Cricket World Cup League Two ODI competition for Associates will lay the groundwork for a path to Test cricket for his homeland, adding that it is his dream to don the whites for Nepal.According to Lamichhane, that dream played a significant role in his decision to cut short his stint with league-leading Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League in order to return home ahead of Nepal’s first-ever home ODI, against Oman on February 5 in Kathmandu.”It’s simple. I have a dream to play Test cricket for Nepal and every little contribution from my side will go for Nepal cricket,” Lamichhane told ESPNcricinfo on Monday. “Till the day of retirement of my cricket career, I would like to play Test cricket for Nepal. I think the sight of playing Test cricket for Nepal will be amazing. I can get those vibes straight away right now, how that feeling will be in the future. Little steps will take me to that place.”As one of the most in-demand spinners in the T20 franchise circuit, the 19-year-old Lamichhane has cultivated a following that has transcended Associate cricket. After getting his first taste of franchise T20 cricket in the now-defunct Hong Kong T20 Blitz, Lamichhane became the first Nepalese player to be picked up in an IPL auction by Delhi Capitals in 2018, and has since parlayed that into opportunities in the CPL, PSL, BBL and Global T20 Canada.But even though he is earning well into the six figures when all his franchise deals are tabulated, he still has never been able to say no to playing for his country. This despite the fact that according to multiple sources, players have not been paid for more than a year while the Cricket Association of Nepal tries to recover from administrative suspension by the ICC. Part of the reason for that is the determination of Lamichhane and his teammates to lift Nepal higher up the global rankings in limited-overs formats, which he sees as a vehicle to pursue the dream of Test cricket, particularly since the four-day Intercontinental Cup competition for Associates has been quietly disbanded after Afghanistan and Ireland’s elevation to Test status in 2017.”You can’t even imagine the excitement level for all the players right now,” Lamichhane said of the build-up to Nepal’s first of four ODIs they will play against Oman and USA over the next week. “Individually, I’m really excited about these four games that are going to be played against USA and Oman, pretty important games for us [if we are to] play in the World Cup 2023. First time playing in home conditions, first-ever ODI for Nepal to host right now, so pretty excited and I’m really hoping to see more than 20,000 audience to come and cheer for Nepal.”If you see in this stadium in the sitting areas, there is no one right now, but come Wednesday it will be fully jam-packed and I can’t wait to see all those spectators who will come here and support us. It will be an amazing experience. For the four games Nepal is going to play here, it will be jam-packed.”Gyanendra Malla punches a cover drive•Peter Della Penna

The moment is just as special for captain Gyanendra Malla, who took over the captaincy reins from Paras Khadka in 2019. The 29-year-old, who made his senior team debut in 2006, says this week will be one of the highlights of his career.”When we started playing cricket, everybody wanted to get ODI status and get big cricket over here,” Malla said. “Finally, one-dayers are here in Kathmandu, one of my favourite venues. The first ODI home series, that’s one of the proudest moments for me as a captain.”I think we are one of the luckiest teams because we have very good fan following. Wherever we go as a Nepali, there are lots of Nepali supporting us. I think that craze has gone up since the [2014 T20] World Cup and then after ODI status, it’s been getting bigger and bigger. So we’re very excited about it. The fans are supporting, 15,000-plus coming here and supporting us will be a huge plus point for us playing against other sides. As an Associate nation, we are the luckiest team who have the best fan following.”

Former Scotland offspinner Majid Haq has announced on Twitter that he is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19. The 37-year-old posted the news on Friday morning, saying he was being treated at Royal Alexandra Hospital in the Paisley area of Glasgow.”Looking forward to potentially getting back home today after testing positive with Coronavirus,” Haq tweeted. “Staff at the RAH in Paisley have been good to me & thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of support. Insha Allah the Panther will be back to full health soon. #covid19UK”According to the UK government’s dedicated NHS web site for Coronavirus information, there were 266 confirmed cases of the virus in Scotland as of 9.00 am on March 19, part of 3,269 confirmed cases across the whole of the United Kingdom.Haq, who logged 54 ODIs and 21 T20Is for Scotland, last played for his country at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. He was Scotland’s all-time leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 60 wickets until being passed in 2019 by fast bowler Safyaan Sharif. However, Haq has still been active in domestic cricket in Scotland, most recently captaining Royal High Corstorphine CC in the Cricket Scotland League Eastern Premiership for the 2019 summer.Both Cricket Scotland and the ECB announced this week that recreational cricket would be suspended indefinitely in light of the Coronavirus outbreak. Many cricketers from around the world have been under self-isolation since the Coronavirus was declared a global pandemic.

Allrounder Tahlia McGrath has been included among 15 contracts handed out for Australia’s women’s squad alongside the expected inclusions of fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck and allrounder Annabel Sutherland.Top-order batters Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani lose their deals having dropped out of the reckoning over the last 12 months.Following their success in winning the T20 World Cup last month, the major focus for the women’s team over the next 12 months is the 50-over tournament in New Zealand scheduled for 2021 although that could yet be impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.McGrath’s name is the most notable among the inclusions for 2020-21 having last played for Australia in 2017 and it comes off the back of a strong season for Adelaide Strikers and South Australia. Shawn Flegler, the women’s national selector, explained that with Ellyse Perry and Vlaeminck recovering from injuries sustained during the T20 World Cup McGrath would add depth to the all-round resources.”Tayla Vlaeminck and Annabel Sutherland were upgraded to CA contracts last season and were members of Australia’s triumphant T20 World Cup squad. They have emerged as key figures in the team and deserve their place on the contract list,” Flegler said.”Tahlia McGrath had a brilliant season with the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia, winning the Andrea McCauley medal. She’s been a consistent performer over the last few seasons with bat and ball, including the five matches she played for Australia during the 2017 Ashes series.”With Tayla and Ellyse Perry coming back from long-term injuries, Tahlia will add extra depth to our all-rounders, especially with her bowling. We saw that depth come into play during the recent World Cup and we know that will be important with another World Cup scheduled this summer.”Flegler offered hope of a way back for both Bolton and Villani if they can dominate in domestic cricket while said that Erin Burns, who was part of the T20 World Cup squad, was unlucky to miss the cut.”The door is not closed on any of the players who did not receive a new CA contract,” he said. “There will be plenty of opportunities for Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani who both missed out to make their case once cricket resumes. Both are world-class when at their best, so hopefully they can dominate domestic cricket and put their hands up for selection.”Erin Burns was unlucky to miss out having been upgraded to a full contract this season but is highly rated by the selectors. She’s an adaptable player and is still in the mix for future selection. Molly Strano also misses out despite being drafted into Australia’s World Cup squad and playing an important role, but she too is highly rated and will be looked at for future opportunities.”Contract list Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Sana Mir, arguably the greatest woman cricketer Pakistan has produced, has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a 15-year career. Mir, who made her international debut in 2005, took 151 wickets at an average of 24.27 in 120 ODIs and 89 wickets at 23.42 in 106 T20Is. Apart from that, she also scored 1630 runs in ODIs at 17.91 and 802 in T20Is at 14.07.Last November, Mir had taken a break from international cricket and had missed Pakistan’s tour of England. Subsequently, she was left out of Pakistan’s squad for the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia following a run of poor form.ALSO READ: ‘A true stalwart of Pakistan cricket, a catalyst for the women’s game’“Last few months have provided me with an opportunity to contemplate,” Mir said in a statement. “I feel it is the right time for me to move on. I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport.”When I reflect on my debut, it gives me great satisfaction that I have been part of the process that has eventually resulted in a packed-to-capacity Lord’s for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final, something that was further boosted by a record 87,000 spectators for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. These are great success stories for women’s cricket.”In her statement, Mir thanked her family and mentors and hoped to continue “serving” her departmental team Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL).”I also want to thank my family and mentors who provided unconditional support that allowed me to fulfil my dreams of representing Pakistan at a global stage and would also like to thank my departmental team ZTBL for their support throughout my career. I look forward to continue serving them if department cricket continues.”Mir retires as the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in ODIs and second-highest behind Nida Dar in T20Is. Her most productive year was 2014, when he took 21 wickets in 11 ODIs at 12.57. In October 2018, she topped the ICC ODI rankings. She has two Asian Games gold medals from 2010 and 2014.She captained 72 times in ODIs, of which Pakistan won 26 and lost 45. In her 65 T20Is as captain, Pakistan won 26 and lost 36. She stepped down from the T20I captaincy after the 2016 Women’s World T20, and lost the ODI captaincy in 2017, when the PCB elevated Bismah Maroof to the role.Wasim Khan, PCB’s CEO, paid tribute to Mir: “On behalf of Pakistan cricket, I congratulate Sana Mir on a highly successful career. She has been the face of Pakistan women’s cricket for many years and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of women cricketers.”Through her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country. Through her performances, she not only improved the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan, but also enhanced the image of Pakistan globally. Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket who attracted, inspired and motivated young women athletes. Moving forward, I am sure she will continue to contribute positively to women’s cricket.”

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali scored a century that guided his Team Green to a six-wicket victory in the first intra-squad match at the Incora County Ground in Derby.Azhar anchored a fourth-day run chase with a composed 120 from 225 balls after Team White, led by Babar Azam, had set a target of 353 in 89 overs.Fakhar Zaman provided the initial thrust by smashing six sixes in a 128-ball 99 and Azhar paced his innings shrewdly before retiring with the finishing line in sight.ALSO READ: Amir available to join squad in EnglandAsad Shafiq made 67 from 95 balls before he also retired leaving Iftikhar Ahmed and Sarfaraz Ahmed to complete victory in the evening sunshine with five balls to spare.Despite the relaxed conclusion, the first of two warm-up matches has been a worthwhile exercise for a number of key players ahead of the first Test against England in just over two weeks with Azhar’s innings particularly encouraging after his modest County Championship season with Somerset in 2019.Babar, another of the tourists’ key batsmen, also scored runs while Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled with pace and accuracy and Yasir Shah twirled away for 31 overs in the match.It was a memorable game for wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan who followed an unbeaten half-century in the first innings by completing a century before Team White declared to set up a competitive final day.ALSO READ: Khushdil, Abid face injury scaresRizwan looked assured in both innings and two boundaries off Faheem Ashraf eased him through the nineties before a tuck off his hip against Naseem took him to three figures and prompted Babar to declare.Team Green’s chase threatened to stall immediately when Mohammad Hafeez, in for Abid Ali who was struck on the head fielding at forward short leg on day three, was out to the third ball off the innings from Afridi which he edged to Rizwan.But that was the last wicket to fall for nearly 43 overs as Fakhar and Azhar first saw off the new ball and then eased through the gears with Fakhar moving into overdrive against the leg-spin of Shadab Khan.The left-hander plundered six sixes between long-on and long-off, one bouncing off the pavilion roof with another clearing the main stand at the City End of Derbyshire’s headquarters.He also hit 10 fours but Shadab denied him a century by grabbing a head-high catch at third slip from a sliced drive off Mohammad Musa.Azhar had been a spectator during the onslaught but with the exit of Fakhar, he took the initiative to reach his hundred off 199 balls while Shafiq drove the left-arm spin of Kashif Bhatti for six on his way to an 81-ball 50.Both made way to give Iftikhar and Sarfraz time in the middle. The tourists have one more intra-squad game at Derby starting on Friday before the real business begins at Emirates Old Trafford on August 5.

If Northamptonshire’s policy of using the Bob Willis Trophy as a development competition is to be deemed a success, they need more stories like this second day at Wantage Road when Charlie Thurston made 115, his maiden century for the club, and Ben Curran 82 as they responded to Glamorgan’s 259 with 288 for 5.Thurston and Curran have limited top-level experience but have been handed extended opportunities this season and both have looked comfortable in their first XI appearances but were in need of scores to underline their potential.So it would have been to the relief of the pair and the club – taking some flak for their results despite their stated intentions – that both delivered. They shared a second-wicket partnership of 176 as Northamptonshire finally realised runs from their top order.Thurston has been on the fringes at Northamptonshire for a few years after making a century against them for Loughborough MCCU in 2017, also at Wantage Road. He was handed county debuts in all three formats in 2018 but never a proper chance to launch his career.This has been his opportunity. He made 96 in the second innings at Edgbaston in the first match of the Bob Willis Trophy, part of a tremendous rearguard that saved the game from a helpless position.And this should have been an even closer near-miss if Kieran Bull had held a regulation chance at slip off Tim van der Gugten with Thurston on 99. Next ball he worked a single to long leg and raised his century in 145 balls with 10 fours and a six.He was very fluent and soon built on his overnight 30. He played a beautiful back-foot punch to bring the 100 up, then flicked van der Gugten for two to reach fifty in 67 balls with six fours. He then uppercut Marchant de Lange over point for six to take the stand into three-figures.But with his career-best in sight after lunch, he dragged Callum Taylor – who enjoyed a dream first-class debut with a whirlwind century on day one – into his stumps trying to cut a ball from the offspinner round the wicket that was too tight to do so.Curran was also impressive. Initially more watchful than Thurston, he took an hour to find his first boundary of the day. He edged de Lange over the slips cordon before hooking him for four over square leg. He cut the same bowler for his seventh four to reach fifty in 112 balls, his second of the season and seventh of his 17-match career.Curran had one moment of fortune as he reverse-swept Bull in his first over and edged to first slip, only to find the fielder had moved away trying to anticipate where the ball might have gone had Curran made his intended contact.But he enjoyed no luck three overs after lunch as a thick outside edge from van der Gugten was spectacularly held by Nick Selman diving one-handed to his left at second slip. It left Curran one short of his first-class best made against Sussex in September 2018 in his fifth appearance. This was his 12th game since.The partnership broken, Northamptonshire wobbled from 202 for 1 to 234 for 4 as Luke Procter drove van der Gugten lazily to mid-off to fall for just 3 and the hosts were made to wait by the rain to take the lead.Play resumed at 5.10pm and Rob Keogh got in a mess trying to defend Dan Douthwaite and was bowled for 20 but Ricardo Vasconcelos, down the order this week with him both keeping wicket and captaining the side in place of the rested Adam Rossington, ensured Northamptonshire went to the close in a strong position.

Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets in four balls as his six-wicket haul made sure Hampshire ended their horror Vitality Blast campaign with victory over Middlesex.The Pakistan fast bowler demolished John Simpson, Steven Finn, Thilan Walallawita and Tim Murtagh’s stumps in consecutive deliveries to blow away the visitors.Having returned a disappointing 1 for 191 across his first six outings, Afridi celebrated an incredible 6 for 19 – Hampshire best ever T20 bowling figures, and the county’s second format hat-trick in their history. He became only the seventh player to take four wickets in four balls in a T20.It meant Hampshire ended a six-game losing spell to win by 22 runs, although couldn’t prevent them from finishing bottom of the group stage for the first time since 2007.Hampshire needed quick wickets in their defence of 141 for 9, and Felix Organ continued the trend of spin it to win it as he opened the bowling with his offbreaks and had 20-year-old Jack Davies lbw.Organ had Joe Cracknell caught at point by Joe Weatherley in his second over – the 21-year-old bowling three overs in the Powerplay and returning 2-13.Afridi claimed his maiden Ageas Bowl wicket for the county when he yorked Stevie Eskinazi, who ended the group stage as the tournament’s second-leading scorer with 413 runs.Ryan Stevenson bowled Nathan Sowter with a slower ball before Mason Crane continued the spin domination when Tom Alsop stumped Martin Andersson.Simpson threatened a comeback for the visitors as the run-rate climbed, he added 25 with Luke Hollman before Afridi turned the latter’s off stump into a javelin.Wicketkeeper Simpson helped take 17 off Stevenson in the 16th over, thanks to two huge sixes, as Middlesex required 37 from the last four overs.But left-armer Afridi, who flies home tomorrow, took four wickets in four balls to provide an explosive end to a below-par season. It was the second hat-trick taken by Hampshire this year, after James Fuller had taken a treble against Surrey in the Bob Willis Trophy.Having chosen to bat, Hampshire ground through their innings, as partnerships struggled to flourish against an impressive spin performance on a slow pitch.Middlesex’s spin triplets of Walallawita, Hollman and Nathan Sowter took 8 for 74 in their 12 combined overs to restrict Hampshire.James Vince chopped veteran Tim Murtagh onto his own off stump, before Alsop and Sam Northeast laid a solid foundation with a 32-run stand.But that was as good as the batting got for the hosts as Walallawita, Sowter and Hollman constricted them. Alsop was bowled while attempting a slog-sweep off legspinner Hollman and top-scorer Northeast nicked Walallawita behind to Simpson.Joe Weatherley split the leg side boundary riders with a perfect sweep, before he was plumb lbw when he switched into a reverse.From 55 for 1 after eight overs, Hampshire found their recognised batsmen all dismissed by the end of the 17th over on 114 for 7.The spinners forced the batters to play to the long square boundaries as an impatient Fuller and Organ holed out to long-on, while Ian Holland – following a six down the ground – was leg-before attempting a huge slog sweep.The latter two scalps fell to Walallawita on his T20 debut, having impressed with his left-arm spin during the Bob Willis Trophy earlier this summer.Stevenson found a hat-trick of boundaries off Tom Helm but leggie Sowter returned to bowl him and Chris Wood – as Hampshire bobbed to 141 for 9 in their 20 overs.